Courtesy of: www.popsugar.com and www.BBC.co.uk
Crowds outside Westminster Abbey were stunned by the dress chosen by the Duchess of Cambridge as she stepped out of the wedding car.
After months of speculation, the closely guarded secret of who would be designing the royal wedding dress and what it would look like is now out in the open.
Sarah Burton, who was first rumoured to have been given the high-profile job in March, is the lead designer at Alexander McQueen.
Having been the protegee of Alexander McQueen himself, she took over as creative director of the fashion house following his death in 2010.
Initial reaction from the fashion world and the general public to the long-sleeved, V-necked lace dress has been overwhelmingly positive.
Wedding dress designer Philippa Lepley, who had been touted as a potential candidate herself, gave BBC News her initial reaction: "It's very understated, quite classic and timeless. it's almost Grace Kelly-esque."
The Telegraph's fashion director Hilary Alexander hails Mrs Burton's design "the Wedding Dress of the Century."
Fashion magazine Grazia also draws comparisons with the late Princess Grace of Monaco: "Kate Middleton is the perfect Grace Kelly Princess bride! Everyone in the office crying about Sarah Burton (yesss!) designing the royal wedding dress. Anyone else feel like they've died and gone to fashion heaven...?"
Bryony Toogood, fashion director of Brides magazine has also given the thumbs up to the newly anointed duchess's decision to wear a dress with a train: "Wow! A dress by Sarah Burton for McQueen completely befitting of a princess - and thank goodness a train!"
She goes on to conclude, "Absolutely stunning - timeless, classic and sure to be a benchmark for future brides. I love it!!"
British bridal designer Suzanne Neville suggests that the dress was "quite predictable": "I thought it was exactly what most people thought she was going to wear, but it was beautiful, absolutely stunning."
She reckons the new bride made the right decision: "The technical side of it is breathtaking. I think the workmanship definitely shines through and I'm glad she chose such a top couturier, someone who knows the right skills. She chose an absolute professional."
Harriet Quick, fashion features editor at Vogue admires the duchess's decision not to go with too modern a style: "It has a retro feel to it which nods to a lot of nostalgia and history but at the same time she looks very easy in it. It's incredibly grown-up, it's timeless, so I think it shows a very smart choice, one which suits her but it's incredibly respectful for her as the commoner joining the Royal Family."
From the initial commentary online it has been difficult to find anyone with anything but praise for the dress.
On Twitter, commentators like what they see. Anna Stanley, tweeting asStanandDeliver says "kate middleton, Grace Kelly style......beautiful"
Amanda Burcul is similarly complimentary: "This is just so exciting!!! Kate is stunning. Just a pure classic beauty, so natural. Love it!"
Poppy Ntshongwana tweeting as PoppyIsMyName, says "Kate at Westminister Abbey! GORGEOUS !!"
Diane Morris, tweeting as BridesButler, says on how well the dress has been tailored for the duchess: "The bodice fits her like a glove! Beautiful fit!"
ShanDN sums up her view of the dress simply: "Now that's a PRINCESS!"
- 1. The 1936 Cartier "halo" tiara was lent to the bride by The Queen
- 2. The veil is made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers
- 3. The bodice, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, is a hallmark of McQueen's designs
- 4. For the dress, individual flowers were hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle
- 5. The train measures 2m 70cm
- 6. The shoes (hidden), made of satin with hand-embroidered lace, were also Alexander McQueen
